Stories for February 2013

Monday, February 11th 2013 - 04:49 UTC
PM Cameron to Scotland: “we’re better off together and poorer apart”

British Prime Minister David Cameron conceded that Scotland had what it takes to be an independent nation, but said it currently enjoyed “the best of both worlds”, imploring it not to break the United Kingdom apart.
Monday, February 11th 2013 - 04:47 UTC
“Pseudo referendum” is provocative and offensive says Malvinas Forum, Uruguay

The Malvinas Forum, Uruguay chapter released a declaration strongly criticizing lawmakers and institutions that have announced they are planning to travel to the Falklands’ for the March10/11 referendum.
Monday, February 11th 2013 - 04:18 UTC
UK expects Uruguay to respect the Falklands’ referendum, which is a three sided event

British ambassador in Uruguay Ben Lyster-Binns said the coming referendum in the Falkland Islands involves the people of the Islands, United Kingdom and Argentina and expects the Uruguayan government to respect the referendum even when Foreign Minister Luis Almagro anticipated that the country will not recognize the results of the ballot.
Monday, February 11th 2013 - 02:45 UTC
Uruguay has interests in Falklands, beyond the UK/Argentina territorial dispute

Uruguayan opposition lawmakers, as from the rest of the continent will be travelling to the Falklands as observers of the referendum scheduled for next March 10/11 “to see the legitimacy of the process and results” but also because Uruguay has interests that go beyond the territorial dispute between Argentina and the UK.
Monday, February 11th 2013 - 01:00 UTC
Hague accuses Argentina of “bullying and intimidatory behavior” towards the Falklands

Foreign Secretary William Hague has accused Argentina of “bullying and intimidatory behaviour” towards the Falkland Islands. Mr Hague in a Sunday interview with The Sun promised never to negotiate over the islands' sovereignty unless their people called for it - a referendum will take place next month.
Monday, February 11th 2013 - 00:56 UTC
Brazil January inflation spike triggers concern for the government and investors

Brazilian inflation in January climbed to 0.86%, the highest for the month in the last ten years, according to the country’s stats office, IBGE. Inflation in December was 0.79%, ending the twelve months of last year at 5.82% which was in the target range with a ceiling of 6.5%.
Monday, February 11th 2013 - 00:54 UTC
Cruise lifeboat safety drill ends in tragedy killing five crew members

Five people are dead following a lifeboat safety drill aboard a cruise vessel in the Canary Islands that turned in to a tragedy. The lifeboat fell about 20 meters when a cable snapped, trapping crew members beneath it and killing five of them
Saturday, February 9th 2013 - 09:32 UTC
Venezuela devalues currency 32% to help cut 11% of GDP fiscal gap

Venezuela devalued its currency for the fifth time in nine years as ailing President Hugo Chavez seeks to narrow a widening fiscal gap and reduce a shortage of dollars in the economy. The new exchange rate falls by 32% to 6.3 Bolivar per dollar starting Feb. 13, Finance Minister Jorge Giordani told reporters in Caracas.
Saturday, February 9th 2013 - 09:23 UTC
Ecuador presidential election turning into a one man race

Populist Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa has maintained a huge lead over his nearest opposition rival in the run-up to the Feb. 17 elections, recent polls show. Correa's popularity has remained above 50% throughout his six years in office, buoyed by his personal charisma as well as his government's heavy spending on hospitals, roads and schools.
Saturday, February 9th 2013 - 09:16 UTC
India signs ambitious mining agreement with Uruguay

India has shown great interest in mining iron ore, granite, gold and diamond in Uruguay and has entered into a deal for exploring and encouraging investment opportunities in the mining sector, according to Indian sources visiting Uruguay.